DucTales May/June 2017

WHEN SAVINGS DON’T ADD UP THE COSTLY PRACTICE OF VALUE ENGINEERING

BE PART OF DUCTALES! Share your expertise, opinion or funny anecdotes with NADCA. Contact sblack@ahredchair.com

Contents Editor Sarah Black

Features

Publisher Jodi Araujo, CEM

POSTMASTER: 1120 Route 73, Suite 200 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: 855-GO-NADCA Fax: 856-439-0525 E-mail: info@nadca.com Website: www.nadca.com DucTales Magazine is published six times annually. NADCA annual dues include a paid ­subscription to DucTales. Yearly subscriptions to DucTales are available for $50.

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Avoiding the Pitfalls of Value Engineering

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Summary of Findings: NADCA Energy Field Trials Task Force

In Every Issue

Your Business

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President’s Message

14

Not Your Father’s News Release

4

Committee Assignments

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Chief Staff Executive’s Letter

Four Ways to Practice Work-Life Balance in Your Small Business

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Executive Director’s Message

12

Industry Calendar

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New NADCA Members, ASCSs

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Committee Spotlight

ECO BOX DucTales magazine text and cover pages are printed on SFI-Certified Anthem Plus Gloss paper using soy ink.

NADCA News

Industry News

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From the Archives: Combustible Dust

10

In Brief

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Associate Member Spotlight

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Safety King Air Duct Cleaning Teams Up with PBS’s This Old House

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Clickable Education from the EPA

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AIISA ANAM Recap

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The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) prints DucTales Magazine to provide its members and the HVAC system cleaning industry with a forum for the discussion of topics of interest. To that end, NADCA tries to include within DucTales a wide range of ideas and opinions.

The ideas and opinions expressed by the authors who write articles for DucTales, however, are solely the views of the person expressing them, and do not necessarily represent the views, positions or policies of NADCA, its members, or its officers, directors or staff. NADCA is not responsible for claims made in advertisements.

NADCA does not endorse any particular manufacturer or supplier of equipment, chemicals or related ­products, nor any ­particular model of equipment.

The SFI certified sourcing label is proof DucTales magazine is using fiber from responsible and legal sources.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program integrates the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the protection of wildlife, plants, soils and water.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® program promotes responsible forest management.

President’s Message

A Legacy of Service

By Richard Lantz, NADCA President and Chairman of the Board

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ith the 28th Annual Meeting behind us, I reflect on my six years of service on NADCA’s Board of Directors that brought me to the position of President and Chairman of the Board.

I’m reminded of the men and women who preceded me, truly exceptional individuals who volunteered their time and knowledge for the advancement of NADCA to be the recognized industry authority for the assessment, cleaning and restoration of air conveyance systems. It is truly humbling to be recognized by the Board of Directors to lead the association toward our goals and opportunities. Thank you for your confidence and support.

I would be remiss in not recognizing NADCA’s immediate past president, Michael Vinick, for his guidance, leadership and friendship. Michael is a true believer of the NADCA brand and has always held the members’ interest at the highest level of importance. Thank you, Michael, for your volunteerism and continued support.

It’s an exciting time for NADCA. We are experiencing a time of remarkable change, great challenges and exciting opportunities as we move forward. Technology and communication are making the world smaller and more connected than ever.

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Old Ways Won’t Open New Doors!

My vision over the next few years is focused on expanding awareness of NADCA domestically and internationally through interaction with associations as speakers, trainers and sponsors. We will be reaching out to international communities through marketing and advertising in key industry publications in foreign countries. Our relationships with other associations at industry events will be expanded through educational awareness and committee participation.

We continue our successful targeted promotion of our standards with a focus on ACR adoption and specification implementation by architects, engineers and contractors and promoting the use of a NADCA member company to perform the work.

We will be taking a more focused look at the Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) program through renewed marketing, education and training with a newly formed CVI Task Force.

As we look down the road toward our destiny, I look forward to working with the staff, Board of Directors, committee chairs and membership to successfully engage industry leaders and consumers about the NADCA brand and membership experience.

“We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit.”

–Dr. Robert H. Shaffer I also look forward to working with up-and-coming NADCA members.

It is important to get our young entrepreneurs involved in the industry to continue the mission of the association.

Those of you who know me are aware that I am an avid Harley rider with many years and miles under my belt.

Volunteering, like motorcycle riding, is an extension of life that enhances our contributions.

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NADCA News

NADCA Committee Assignments Annual Meeting Committee Chair: Mark Zarzeczny Immediate Past Chair: Michael Vinick Peter Bagley Rachelle Cunningham Frank Forrest Tommy Gwaltney Peter Haugen Anthony Paterno Cindy White

Daniel Bowman Kelly Dexter George Grozan Terry Lee MJ Palazzolo Ray Strozyk

By-Laws Policies Procedures Committee Chair: Dan Stradford Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz

Melinda Allen Sharon Altenhoff

Certification Committee Chair: April Yungen Immediate Past Chair: Dan Stradford Norman Foster Mike McDavid Clint Orr Duane Whetzel

Rick MacDonald Andrew McLaughlin Todd St. Ores Cindy White

Education & Safety Committee Co-Chairs:

Mike White Rick MacDonald

Jeff Bagley Frank Forrest Chet Goetz Richard Lantz Andrew McLaughlin Robert Rizen Tom Wengert

Mike Dexter Ron Gray Reece Howell Jerry Lawrence Kehau Mendes Kevin Uilkie Michael C. White

Subcommittee: White Paper Committee Chair:

Dan Stradford

Subcommittee: Fall Technical Conference Co-Chair: Co-Chair:

Rick MacDonald Jimmy Meyer

Perry Bagley Frank Forrest Mike McDavid Robert Rizen Tom Wengert Vito Moscato

Mike Dexter Richard Lantz Kehau Mendes Kevin Uilkie Michael C. White

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Subcommittee: CVI Marketing Task Force Chair:

April Yungen

Mike Dexter Rick MacDonald Mark Zarzeczny

Richard Lantz Mike White

Ethics Committee

Chair: Dan Stradford Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz Melinda Allen George Grozan Michael O’Rourke

Kelly Dexter Mike Wine

Finance Committee

Chair: Dan Stradford Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz John Line Al Sutton

John Muller Mike White

Industry & Public Relations Committee Chair: Mark Zarzeczny Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz Dave Adams Carlos Boothby Charles de Azagra Terry Donohue Bill Hippen Dan L’Herbier MJ Palazzolo Andrew Rodgers Slade Stricklin Stephen Worrall

Perry Bagley Jim Castellano Kelly Dexter Peter Haugen Clayton Ivany Scott Moritz Billy Prewitt Larry Stabb Travis Tassey

Subcommittee: Anti-Fraud Task Force Chair: Mark Zarzeczny Hal Ayer April Yungen Justin Viar

Jim Castellano Kelly Dexter Stephen Worrall

Subcommittee: Editorial Committee Chair:

Richard Lantz

Kehau Mendes Dan Stradford

Jimmy Meyer April Yungen

International Affairs Committee

Chair: Andrea Casa Immediate Past Chair: Michael Vinick Julio Cesar Arencibia Nicolas Charland Eric Gordon Hugo Hernandez Al Sutton

Nelson Constanza Javier Dominguez Peter Haugen Rick MacDonald Travis Tassey

Membership Committee Chair: April Yungen Immediate Past Chair: Kevin Uilkie Perry Covello Peter Haugen Andrew McLaughlin MJ Palazzolo Sheldon Smiley Mark Zarzeczny

Gary Croshaw Jared Klinger Jimmy Meyer Andrew Rodgers April Yungen

Subcommittee: Regional Coordinators

Chair: April Yungen Immediate Past Chair: Kevin Uilkie U.S. Northwest – Vito Moscato U.S. Southwest – Matt Kelly, Kehau Mendes U.S. Northeast – Rick MacDonald, Nelson Constanza U.S. Southeast – Tommy Gwaltney, Perry Bagley Canada Region 9 – Gary Baskin Canada Region 9.5 – Nicolas Charland Mid-East Region 10 – George Thomas Australia Region 11 – Italy Region 12 – Andrea Casa China Region 15 Central & S. America – Richard Lantz

Leadership Development Committee Chair:

Richard Lantz

Standards Committee

Chair: Bill Lundquist Immediate Past Chair: Richard Lantz Paul Burns Brad Kuhlmann Rick MacDonald Patrick O’Donnell

Charlie Cochrane Greg Long Mike McDavid Byron Ware

Strategic Planning Committee Chair:

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Richard Lantz

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Chief Staff Executive Letter

Always on a Mission

NADCA Officers President Richard Lantz, ASCS, CVI (’18) Virginia Air Duct Cleaners, Inc. 1149 Waters Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 (757) 407-3845

Treasurer Mike White, ASCS, CVI (’20) Clean Air Systems of LA, Inc. P.O. Box 6210 Shreveport, LA 71136 (318) 869-0344 mike.white@cleanairsystemsiaq.com

Secretary Mark Zarzeczny, ASCS (’20) Schoen Duct Cleaning 704 Cooper Street Edgewater Park, NJ 08010 (609) 835-9500

richard@virginiaductcleaners.com

1st Vice President Rick MacDonald, ASCS, CVI (’18) Armstrong Duct, Vent, Hearth & Home 531 Front Street Manchester, NH 03102 (603) 627-7016 rmac@ahpv.com

mark@schoenairductcleaninginc.com

NADCA Directors April Yungen, ASCS (‘18) Air Management Industries 8351 Elm Avenue, Suite 102 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730-7639 United States (909) 945-0041 airmgmt@tstonramp.com

Kehau Mendes, ASCS, CVI (’20) AIRPRO Indoor Air Solutions 1916 Democrat Street Honolulu, HI 96819 (808) 832-1178 kehau@airprohawaii.com

Meyer Machine & Equipment, Inc. Mike Dexter,

351 Main St. Antioch, IL 60002-3012 (800 728-3828

jimbob@meyermachine.com

Andrea Casa, ASCS (‘19) Alisea SRL Frazione Tornello 120 Mezzanino, Italy 27040 (+39) 0382-583090

“You create a credible brand by staying true to who you are.”

— Hilary Sawchuk

2nd Vice President Dan Stradford, ASCS (’18) Action Duct Cleaning 2333 Lincoln Ave. Altadena, CA 91001 Dstradford@aol.com

Jimmy Meyer (‘19)

By Jodi Araujo, CEM; Chief Staff Executive

ASCS, CVI (’20) Air Quality Control Environmental 3933 NW 126th Avenue Coral Springs, FL 33065 (954) 707-0794

mikedexter@airqualitycontrolenv.com

andrea.casa@alisea-italia.com

NADCA Headquarters 1120 Route 73, Suite 200 • Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Toll Free: 855-GO-NADCA • Phone: (856) 380-6810 Fax: (856) 439-0525 • www.nadca.com

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t’s been five years since I joined the NADCA team. It doesn’t seem possible. I’ve seen board members come and go but one thing that remains unchanged is NADCA’s mission, and that mission drives the NADCA brand. The board has stayed true to this and the values they outlined early in my tenure with the association.

Jodi Araujo, CEM Chief Staff Executive

Kristy Cohen Executive Director

Ashton Hald Meeting Manager

Victoria Ramsay Client Services

Holly French Membership & Certification Coordinator

Christina DeRose Standards & Specifications Marketing Manager Holly Rose Industry Relations Manager

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The mission statement says: NADCA is the global trade association representing the HVAC inspection, cleaning and restoration industry. We support members’ success with standards, education, certification, marketing and advocacy to promote the highest quality and ethical services.

Here’s how we’ve done it this year:

NADCA Staff

will allow for ease of use by specifiers and ultimately drive business to our members.

4 Standards

NADCA’s Standards Committee has completed their annual review of ACR and has begun work on an exciting new project, a re-format of the General Specification Document into CSI 3-part format. This

NADCA’s Education Committee has been busy developing new content for our Annual Conference, Fall Technical Conference, and webinars. Topics range from duct sealing to digital marketing, with an eye toward both the technician and the business owner.

The White Paper Task Force is focused on Phase 3 the Energy Savings White Paper with results to follow in the near future.

4 Certification

NADCA’s Certification Committee has worked to update the CVI exam and study materials. A CVI task force is currently reviewing the CVI and exploring new marketing opportunities.

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Chief Staff Executive Letter

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Marketing and Advocacy

Just this month, NADCA launched a really exciting consumer marketing campaign called Breathing Clean (if you missed the launch, you can view the presentation at nadca.com).

This initiative is NADCA’s newest push toward brand recognition with consumers and the need to hire a NADCA certified air duct cleaner. The association has made tremendous investments in marketing to drive business to our

members with this campaign.

Additionally, the association is seeing the new Standards and Specifications Marketing Manager, Christina DeRose, start to gain traction within the mechanical engineering community. The results are very promising. This initiative is like no other supported by NADCA in its almost 30-year history. As these mechanicals start to consistently see NADCA’s specification, so will our members when bidding jobs.

Mission accomplished!

Training and Education

Made Easy!

Custom training is now available to NADCA members!

Instead of flying your entire staff somewhere to receive training, NADCA will bring the training to YOU!

Interested?

Call NADCA Headquarters at (855) GO-NADCA to learn more.

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Executive Director Letter

Ten Ways NADCA Membership Brings You Value

By Kristy Cohen, NADCA Executive Director

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t’s that time of year when membership renewal invoices are sent out reminding NADCA members and certified individuals to renew by the June 30 deadline. So naturally as you open that envelope or read your renewal email, you’re going to ask yourself, “What am I getting in return for my annual membership dues?”

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Increased Market Demand for Your Services

Your NADCA membership dues support a full-time, dedicated marketing manager to promote the importance of specifying NADCA membership and certifications in bid specifications for commercial projects to engineers, architects and specifiers. To date, we’ve reached over 3,000 specifiers, engineers and architects who now have the NADCA General Specification and are aware of the importance of specifying NADCA membership and certification in bid specs. This means more business for NADCA members.

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Competitive Advantage through InternationallyRecognized Certifications

The increased specification of NADCA membership and certification gives those with NADCA ASCS certification a competitive advantage over those without it. As a NADCA member, you receive deep 8

discounts on both the ASCS and CVI certification exams.

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Increased Client Referrals

Over 120,000 consumers visit the NADCA Find a Professional Directory each year and, with our new mobile responsive website and social media marketing, that number continues to grow. Your membership gives you a company profile in the directory so consumers can find and hire your company.

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Educating Consumers via Targeted Marketing

We’re all familiar with the air duct cleaning scams and “blow-and-go” companies that tarnish our industry’s reputation. NADCA’s Breathing Clean campaign is designed to educate consumers on the importance of hiring a NADCA member and how to look out for signs of a scammer.

It also reinforces the age-old adage that you get what you pay for. Your NADCA membership supports this landmark consumer education campaign and gives you access to Breathing Clean collateral, PSAs and social media marketing tips to show your company is part of this important initiative.

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Fighting Fraud in our Industry

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Discounted Access to Industry-Best Education & Training

NADCA aggressively pursues trademark infringement and false claims of membership and certification to protect members’ investment. Your membership dues support these efforts, which have resulted in 97 percent of all reported infringement cases being successfully closed since 2014.

Your membership dues give you discounted access to all levels of training and education to help you and your technicians provide quality service in accordance with NADCA standards. NADCA’s Fall Technical Conference provides a unique, hands-on learning experience for both entry-level and advanced technicians and as a NADCA member your company’s employees receive significant registration discounts.

NADCA on-demand webinars and online training help you conveniently and affordably access practical information. From blueprint reading and estimating to cleaning internally lined ductwork, restoring coils and home/building performance contracting, there’s so much to learn from our industry experts who share their experience and practical knowledge.

Executive Director Letter

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Networking and Insights from Industry Peers

NADCA members have direct access to unique networking opportunities, including registration discounts for the NADCA Annual Conference. If you’ve never attended, you’re missing out on one of the best opportunities to gain valuable insights, tips and ideas from fellow members that are sure to help you grow your business.

Attendees tell us that the networking and camaraderie they developed at the meeting is priceless.

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Affinity Program Discounts and Member Benefits

stone toward board leadership. The NADCA Board of Directors comprises your fellow NADCA members ensuring that the strategic vision and direction of the association is in the best interest of the membership. Take advantage of these opportunities to be an industry leader.

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Using the NADCA Brand to Set Yourself Apart from the Competition

NADCA membership shows commitment to quality and sets your company apart from your competitors. Your membership dues support NADCA’s investment and commitment to promoting

the importance of hiring a NADCA member company in both the commercial and residential marketplace to give you the competitive advantage and increase your bottom line.

It’s a powerful thing to be part of an association. Associations are created to establish strength and unity in working toward common goals in virtually every profession.

Your company’s membership dues support the initiatives needed to collectively grow and advance the air duct cleaning industry and directly drive more business to you, our NADCA member. What better return on investment is there than that?

NADCA membership entitles you to several member benefits and affinity program discounts and savings that include: •

Equipment rental through Sunbelt Rentals

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Computer equipment purchases through Dell

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Credit card processing with Elavon

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Mobile apps

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Free subscriptions to DucTales Magazine and Air Conveyance E-Newsletter

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Free marketing resources and use of the NADCA logo

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Member mentor program

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Opportunity to Shape and Lead the Industry

Volunteer opportunities to serve on committees and task force groups allow you to weigh in, develop strategic programs and initiatives and participate in decision making that impacts our association, its members and the industry. These opportunities are also an important stepping D U C TA L E S

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Industry News

In Brief MARYLAND

ENGLAND

Unions Call for School’s Closure over Air Quality Concerns

Doctors and Engineers Join Forces to Improve IAQ

A Maryland school district is receiving sharp criticism after releasing the results of air quality tests in its schools that uncovered serious issues with inadequate ventilation in its elementary school. The Prince George’s County school district’s report outlined mediation efforts, including installing new HVAC rooftop units, repairing broken exhaust fans and cleaning air ducts.

However, the teachers’ union notes that in addition to the efforts being disruptive, children and school employees are having respiratory issues and debris is being blown out of the vents. Unions are calling for the school to be closed until mediation efforts are completed.

Government agencies in the United Kingdom have formed a new working party addressing the challenges of indoor air pollution. The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH), the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and the Adaptation and Resilience in the Context of Change (ARCC) network will work together to identify gaps in knowledge on how to reduce indoor pollution, provide policy recommendations for action in the built environment industry and develop solutions to indoor pollution. The initiative follows a recent High Court ruling that air quality plans in the U.K. were “inadequate” and a national focus on improving air quality and reducing emissions.

VIRGINIA

TAIWAN

Researchers Reveal New Calculations for Indoor Air Quality Evaluation

Taiwan Government to Fine Kindergartens For Poor Air Quality

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently discovered a new, more accurate way to measure indoor CO2 concentrations— the amount of CO2 generated by building occupants.

The existing formula was established in the 1980s and is thought to be off by as much as 25 percent. Scientists applied recent concepts relating to human metabolism and exercise physiology to more accurately estimate the amount of CO2 generated. The calculations will be used to improve the efficiency and reliability of demand control ventilation systems.

Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Administration recently announced regulations for indoor air quality standards and fines relating to poor IAQ in schools beginning in 2019. The administration noted that the nation’s kindergartens are a top priority and will be under heightened scrutiny. Schools failing to demonstrate improvements in indoor air quality will face fines up to TWD$250,000 (USD$8,317). The most problematic pollutants are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, PM2.5 and PM10, and are blamed on idling cars during drop-off and pick-up periods.

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Safety King Air Duct Cleaning Teams Up with PBS’s This Old House O n March 30, the Emmy awardwinning PBS show This Old House aired the first of 10 episodes featuring the series’ first home renovation in Detroit. The episodes follow the renovation of two 1930s Detroit homes from start to finish.

While performing extensive repairs and renovations to the windows, plasterwork, and roof, the This Old House renovators and the many community volunteers went to great lengths to preserve and refurbish the historic aspects of the home such as the Tudor-style archways and stained glass windows. They also replaced the dilapidated front and back porches while preserving their original style.

“There’s real innovation happening, and we’re hoping these episodes will help shine a light on the city’s efforts to restore and reclaim more of their community’s homes,” the show’s senior producer, John Tomlin, told MLive.

When the guys at This Old House came to fix up a house in Detroit, Safety King — NADCA member since 1989 and prominent air duct cleaning company in the Detroit area D U C TA L E S

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— was called upon to contribute to the Detroit home’s recuperation by cleaning decades of gunk out of its air ducts. In addition to being part of the project followed throughout the This Old House series, Safety King’s work is also part of an in-depth digital series launched by This Old House creators called Detroit. One House at a Time. The series goes behind the scenes to detail what goes into restoring the aged home to its former glory.

This Old House told The Detroit Free Press that, in addition to the two

Detroit homes, they will be visiting the Ford Estate in Dearborn, the Motown Museum and some urban farming sites. This Old House will also host a segment on the Flint water crisis led by their plumbing expert.

About Safety King Safety King has been a provider of air duct cleaning services in Southeast Michigan since 1969.

Visit their website at safetyking.com.

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Industry News

Clickable Education

The EPA’s Interactive Map Educates on Household Mold

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The EPA employed the concept in a resource for homeowners to identify potential risks of mold and how to protect against them. Users explore different spaces in a house, including the attic, utility spaces and basement, to learn about how mold can become an issue. The tutorial also provides real-life images of mold contamination in similar spaces, giving users a visual example of what to look for.

ducating homeowners about the dangers of mold isn’t exactly exciting. There are websites, pamphlets, flyers and medical studies, all rarely accessed by homeowners. However, just as the concept of gamification is transforming education for children, it’s making its way into how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is educating homeowners.

Gamification applies game-design elements and principles in non-game contexts to make an engaging and memorable learning experience.

Jane McGonigal, game designer and founder of the game development firm Gameful, presented a TED Talk back in 2010 kicking off the concept of using game elements in education, and it’s only become more prevalent since then.

The interactive map is part of a larger effort by the EPA to educate the public on indoor air quality (IAQ) issues and was released on the EPA’s dedicated site for indoor air quality awareness. The site includes resources and information about asthma, mold, radon and energy efficiency. Visitors can also sign up to receive email updates about IAQ issues.

Explore the EPA’s resources on IAQ issues at epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq.

Industry Calendar

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NADCA Events

Related Industry Events

NADCA Fall Technical Conference St. Louis, MO Sept. 14-16, 2017

2017 ASHRAE Annual Conference Long Beach, CA June 24-28, 2017

NADCA 29th Annual Meeting & Exposition Palm Springs, CA March 19-21, 2018

2017 SMACNA Annual Convention Maui, HI Oct. 22-25, 2017

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AIISA ANAM

NADCA’s Italian Counterpart Holds its 2017 Annual Meeting

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he Italian Association of Hygienists Aeraulic Systems (AIISA) was founded in April 2004 through collaboration between several companies that—much like NADCA—share the desire to operate at the highest levels of quality in the field of inspection, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems. The first objective of AIISA is to share knowledge and promote the most innovative operating procedures in air duct cleaning.

AIISA is at the service of companies, public institutions and associations operating in parallel sectors.

Breathe?” and featured sessions that addressed managing waste after air duct cleaning, technical inspection tactics and the risk of exposure to toxic elements during remediation work. The event also offered ASCS certification testing and exhibits by equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

“The world of indoor air quality is an exciting area in which to work and study,” said Lantz. “Forums like this allow us to meet and bring inspired people together to ensure AIISA/NADCA continues to stay strong, relevant and connected internationally.”

AIISA held its annual conference, the ANAM Conference (AIISA NADCA Annual Meeting) May 10-12 in Rome, Italy. AIISA members from all around Italy along with others who hold various roles in the industry gathered for education, networking and a global update on the AIISA/NADCA partnership. NADCA’s President and Chairman of the Board, Richard Lantz, also attended the meeting.

The theme of this year’s meeting was “IAQ: Do You Know the Air You D U C TA L E S

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NADCA President and Chairman of the Board, Richard Lantz, with AIISA President and NADCA Board Member Andrea Casa.

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Your Business

NOT YOUR FATHER’S NEWS RELEASE

By Brad Brenner

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ne of the most valuable, yet misunderstood, marketing tools available to HVAC businesses is the news release. It can be a critical component to getting your story on the 6 o’clock news, driving traffic to your website and even getting your phone to ring with new customers. But over the last 10 years or so, its role and function in helping spread your message has changed tremendously. In just the last year, critical changes to rules about the use of internet-distributed news releases have changed.

Given this evolving reality, it’s no wonder I get more questions about how to maximize the effectiveness of news releases and see more mistakes being made surrounding their use, than just about any other marketing tactic. So here’s the up-to-date skinny on the dos and don’ts regarding this vital communications tool.

First, you may notice that I am calling this document a “news” release… not a “press” release. That’s my own personal rule to remind others of its changing use.

In the past, journalists were the sole gatekeepers of the news. They determined what was newsworthy and what wasn’t. As a marketer, your

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job was to write that release with one audience (the reporter) and one mission (get his interest) in mind.

Today, the internet allows storytellers (you) to entice others outside of traditional journalists with your story.

You can get your news release read by a host of other useful readers — from bloggers and industry forums to business customers, investors and industry researchers. In fact, a strategically written news release can bypass all the news gatekeepers and serve as news delivered directly to your customers.

Now that a release can serve so many different purposes, it must be written with a variety of audiences and marketing strategies in mind.

Traditional News Sending out a news release to your local newspaper or TV news editor without a follow up strategy is most likely a waste of time. It’s only a first step — that initial calling card. Unless the story you tell in the release is so powerful that it can’t be ignored, follow up of some sort is almost always necessary to turn that release into a published article or TV news item.

Be sure to send the release to the right reporter or editor. For instance, a story about a new ENERGY STAR program would most likely go to the person(s) covering topics such as home renovation or energy savings.

If your story is about being the new HVAC company in town, it may go to the local business reporter. If the release is about the successful HVAC renovation of a local school building, you may want to send it to the regional news reporter or education editor.

Not sure who to send it to? Call up the media outlet and ask for a suggestion.

Note and target the reporters who have written articles similar to the one you are pitching. It’s always good to know what your target reporters who have written about in the past. Let him/her know you are familiar with their past work, and you will almost assuredly win points.

When you follow up with a reporter, it’s better to have something new to discuss rather than simply asking them if they got your release (most reporters hate that). If, for instance, your release is about being the first shop in the region to offer energy audits, you may want to tell them about a new happy customer or a new technology you use to assess home performance. Your follow D U C TA L E S

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up may offer an interview with a customer or an invitation to watch a project as it’s being done.

Your Website Another obvious value is its use on your own website. Create a “latest news” section on your site and post releases on a regular basis. This shows visitors (potential customers) that your company is healthy and active and one that they want to do business with. The more they read about happy customers, your business’s involvement in community events and other positive “news” items, the more likely they will be to choose you over the competition.

Notice now that a news release crafted for your website may not be appropriate for the mainstream press.

Most likely, the local TV news will not find a story about your sponsorship of the local little league team to be newsworthy, but the homeowners in your neighborhood (and your website visitors) will.

Posting a release on your website is also a good way to increase the overall effectiveness of your website’s search engine optimization. One important strategy for getting high search results is keeping your site fresh and updated. Adding regular releases to your site helps do exactly that. If you are looking to increase the chances of someone finding your website on the Internet, this is part of a good overall strategy.

Other Uses There are other valuable uses of today’s news release. In each case, you should consider the audience and write the release with these targets in mind.

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Other Websites

Direct Marketing

Just like you, other businesses are looking to keep their site looking fresh and updated. Your news release may be the ticket to help them do just that. Your news release about becoming BPI certified may be perfect content for posting on the websites of a local energy auditor, an HVAC partner or the local utility company. The more places you post your release, the more value it will give you in return.

I know this is still considered heresy to some old-school marketers, but today’s news releases can be effective used as direct marketing pieces. Now that they can be delivered directly to and read directly by customers, the “news” in the release can focus on special pricing or other sales messages. I’ve even seen great success using releases that include coupons and other marketing offers usually relegated to advertisements.

Of course, you wouldn’t send this type of release to local reporters, but posting it on your own website or distributing it at a tradeshow can be incredibly effective.

Blogs Many of today’s bloggers are the reporters and editors of the past. Do some research and find bloggers who write on the topic of your news release. Then send that blogger your release along with an introduction and your contact information. If he/ she decides to post your release on their blog, you not only get more people reading your news, but you earn legitimate SEO value.

The fact is, today’s releases have value far beyond what they used to have just 10 or 15 years ago – and these uses continue to evolve over time. Still, no matter how you plan to use a release, some rules always seem to apply: 1.

A release on its own typically has little value. Consider it a first step in an overall campaign.

2.

The release must be written for its intended audience.

Today that may be multiple targets – the press, bloggers, other websites and even your customers. Crafting the messages to meet multiple needs is seldom a simple task.

3.

The value of a release is directly related to the forethought given to its specific purpose and its intended objectives.

Social Media Post your release on your social network sites such as Facebook.

Internet Distribution There are a variety of companies that will distribute your release over the internet. Different distribution services provide varying methods of getting your release out to others.

Most of these services charge fees (on average, $200–$600 per release) and most target nation-wide audiences. So, unless you have news that is of national interest you may do better focusing on regional targets.

Brad Brenner is the principal of Brenner Associates Marketing Communications, a fullservice agency delivering proven marketing strategies to HVAC and mechanical contracting businesses nationwide.

15

Your Business

Four Ways to Practice Work-Life Balance in Your Small Business

By Bridget Weston Pollack

I

n a previous issue of DucTales, Jodi Araujo, CEM, Chief Staff Executive of NADCA noted the importance of work-life balance. Many small business owners will tell you the rise of the internet has changed how they work. Newer entrepreneurs may not even be able to imagine moving about their day without email, social media or mobile banking.

But while these tools make it easier to do business in many ways, the pressure of always being “on” can amplify stress for small business owners. Time management can be particularly challenging for entrepreneurs who may be building a business while keeping another job, raising a family or pursuing education.

If you’re feeling the pressure, try one or more of these time-management techniques to help you balance work alongside everything else.

Batch Like Tasks Set aside time each day, week or month, and protect it! Use that time for tasks that take concentration, calculation, analysis or just tend to fall by the wayside when you get busy.

Confident you multitask like a pro?

Try tracking your time for an entire day to see how you really spend your time — and how often you get distracted. A hard look at your minute-by-minute workday might surprise you!

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so that others don’t see incoming mail alerts at all hours.

Start Delegating

Set Communication Guidelines You’ve heard about people who turn off their WiFi after a certain time of day; or about people who don’t even let their cell phones into their bedrooms. It may take some time for you to determine the right way to “switch off” after your workday.

Whatever works for you, consider communicating it clearly to your small-business team.

Television producer Shonda Rhimes keeps it simple with this autoresponder on emails sent to her after normal business hours: “I don’t read work e-mails after 7 pm or on the weekends, and if you work for me, may I suggest you put down your phone?”

Similarly, you could encourage employees to use an email scheduling tool to compose messages if they have a burst of inspiration or feel more productive late in the day. Such tools hold outgoing emails until a specified time

Training staff members on various tasks takes time, but the return on investment can be huge for a business owner. Delegating tasks can empower employees to take ownership of their roles. Just be sure to have an accountability system in place to make sure tasks are completed properly in the period following training.

Host Regular Office Hours Bombarded with questions from every direction? Choose a certain time of the week or month to host office hours. Invite employees to chat, customers to drop in for coffee or vendors to show you their new product. By having a set time for these encounters that may often seem like interruptions, you can do your best to eliminate them from batching sessions or periods when you’re trying to unplug.

Figuring out how to balance work with family and personal life is always easier said than done. How do you make time for what’s important to you? If you’re not sure how to get started and feel overwhelmed by your small-business tasks, consider finding a mentor to help guide you They’ve probably been in your same position before!

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Feature

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Value Engineering

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s any NADCA member knows, the HVAC system is the last place any building owner should look to when it comes to trimming spending. But in today’s construction marketplace, there is an increasing focus on costcutting, politely described as value engineering, and it’s essential to educate customers on the importance of not cutting corners when it comes to the airways.

From a consumer standpoint, value engineering doesn’t sound so bad.

It’s “someone going back into the job to…determine where there are comparable products or materials that could save money,” said Harry Zawada, AIA, associate architect at CSR Group, a design-build firm based in Nutley, New Jersey. Saving money is popular in just about every market segment — so what’s the problem?

Well, not so fast. In new construction, this practice, Zawada said, is a 20

sign that not enough effective communication took place at the beginning of the project. If the architect, builder and owner are not specific about what exactly a project requires and then value engineering is implemented further along in the building process, “it’s bad because someone is coming in tearing apart the systems, specifying different materials, different processes, maybe cutting out processes, without understanding why it might be important,” said Zawada.

One motive builders might have for wanting to strip the HVAC system to the bare minimum is reducing the initial cost of the job, which can be done by removing parts of the system or changing ductwork. “This may happen with the attitude that ‘it will work the same’ or that ‘the system was over-designed anyway,’ but in just about every instance that’s not the case,” said Zawada. The changes introduced through value engineering will affect the system’s

performance, energy use, longevity and long-term care. “All systems in a building need maintenance,” Zawada said. “Warranties require you to inspect and maintain a system to keep a warranty valid. If you value engineer a system enough to take out enough of those things, there’s less to maintain.”

But any owner who cares about the function of their systems should want to maintain those systems. “You have an expensive HVAC unit, and that unit is sized based on the ducts. If you clog a filter, you’re choking it off.

Eventually, down the line, the amount of air delivered to the space is less than what you need. What’s someone going to do? Start waling on the thermostat,” Zawada said. “That’s bad for the life cycle of the unit and bad for energy cost.”

Another consideration is the aftermath of a construction project on an existing structure and the dirt D U C TA L E S

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and debris that can infiltrate the system during construction. Stephen Worrall, ASCS, CVI, CRT, owner of Integrated Clean Air Services, an HVAC company located just outside of Toronto, regularly finds a mess left behind after renovation projects. “Any renovation where masonry was torn up on the floor, most of the time the guys would just sweep up the debris into the vent,” he said. “I have to wear gloves because I’m pulling out old masonry. This happens every day.”

HVAC system cleaning is an obvious way to mitigate the hazards of HVAC systems contaminated after renovations, but the work is often left undone in an effort to cut costs or because of a lack of knowledge about air duct cleaning. “Most mechanical contractors and most of the population don’t know what we do, so they might not even realize that they’re cutting out an important part of the equation by not having someone come in and clean ductwork after a construction project,” said Worrall.

The Key is Education To combat the misapprehension that cutting HVAC costs up front will save money in the long run, or that air duct cleaning isn’t necessary after renovations, it’s important to educate your customers on fundamentals of air quality control. “Until the general population, architects and mechanical community are aware of our jobs and the hazards of indoor contaminants, it’s our job to mitigate that risk, educate people and help people understand that HVAC system cleaning is an important part of maintaining a healthy building,” Worrall said.

The only time Worrall has seen anyone getting serious about D U C TA L E S

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NADCA’s Effort to Create Awareness

By Christina DeRose, NADCA’s Standards & Specifications Marketing Manager NADCA recognizes the importance of advocating for professional HVAC system cleaning, and that advocacy is a key part of my role with the association. This entails building awareness around our ACR Standard and promoting the use of our General Specification for the Cleaning and Restoration of Commercial HVAC Systems in construction documents.

Another critical component is effectively communicating the importance of including HVAC system cleaning in bid specifications for both new and existing systems, and the potential ramifications of value engineering. In today’s fast-paced commercial industry, corners are cut due to time and money constraints. But having the HVAC system thoroughly cleaned as part of turning over a clean work environment is the cheapest insurance policy one can invest in. It shows that those involved with the project have done their due diligence to uphold industry standards and provide better indoor air quality for building occupants. It also increases the likelihood that the system will be maintained moving forward, which allows for better energy efficiency and system life. It really comes down to risk/reward – and value engineering out HVAC system cleaning is just a risk that’s not worth taking.

If you come across specifications that either do not include HVAC system cleaning or provide very little guidance in terms of duct cleaning, I can help!

Please send copies to cderose@nadca.com and I will be sure to reach out as a third party to advocate for inclusion.

wrapping ducts during commercial construction is when the build follows the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which was created by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to encourage sustainable design. “This is a very expensive

premiere-level code, a stand-alone code, to go to an independent body for that review. So they’re taking a lot of precautions and going to a lot of effort to adhere to that code,” he said.

High-velocity LEED systems, in which the air rushes so swiftly through the 21

Feature

ductwork that dust is unable to build up, are also available for residential developments, but it’s an expensive investment up front, and not many people are implementing them.

Worrall estimates that in a large-scale development, just 50 of 1,000 units will have a LEED system in place.

In the long term, Worrall doesn’t see value engineering as a threat to the industry. “We’ve only been around for 30 years. Nobody’s grandparents had duct-cleaning trucks coming down the street,” he said. “We’re still so new, we need to advertise that there’s a standard. NADCA wrote the cleaning standard that is accepted worldwide, and it’s the only

22

organization to provide education and training. The more people know about the value of what we do, the more we can build awareness, the less we’ll have to worry about things like value engineering affecting what we do.”

much that can reasonably be cut from the budget. “There shouldn’t be that much fat in a job,” Zawada said. “You need to involve a builder up front so that they can be familiar with the building and the systems, and why they are the way they are.”

And that brings us back to ensuring there is clear communication from the very beginning of a project. In new construction, there is money in finishes, and there are costs associated with decisions about how many zones to create, which rooms should get thermostats and the appropriate placement of airhandling units. But if all of this is discussed at the start, there won’t be

For renovations, it’s about educating home owners and project specifiers about indoor air quality and the dangers of contaminants introduced during a renovation. What customers need to understand above all, Worrall said, is simple: “Nothing is more important than the air quality we breathe.” Place that basic value first, and the idea of value engineering will fall by the wayside.

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NADCA News

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: NADCA Energy Field Trials Task Force

I

n March 2016 NADCA released the white paper “Restoring Energy Efficiency Through HVAC Air Distribution System Cleaning,” which demonstrated how to measure improvements in HVAC energy performance after HVAC cleaning. A task force of NADCA members was then formed to take measurements in the field before and after HVAC cleaning jobs to determine the effect cleaning has on energy performance.

The testing was done in regions across the United States and in Canada, testing many types of HVAC systems, commercial and residential. Tests were done before and after cleaning. These were done measuring temperature, and in many cases humidity, before and after the evaporator (cooling) coil.

Airflow, measured as cubic feet per minute (CFM) moving through the system, was also tested.

The measurements were then inserted into the formulas for measuring energy performance that are given in the white paper. These formulas measure energy output in British Thermal Units (BTUs).

FINDINGS

It is important to note that we are reporting AVERAGE findings. In truth, improvements varied dramatically, depending on a number of factors, including how dirty the system was, accessibility for cleaning, geographical area, etc. However, there was no question that cleaning made significant improvements in the vast majority of jobs and in some cases extraordinary improvements.

MEASUREMENTS TAKEN Temperature Drop The “temperature drop” at the cooling coil is the change in temperature of the air from when it enters the cooling coil on the return side to when it exits the coil on the supply side. This is also referred to as “temperature change” or Delta T (or ∆T).

RESIDENTIAL

The average temperature drop at the cooling coil AFTER cleaning was This is an improvement of

COMMERCIAL

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or

13.6º 19.0º 5.4º 40%

The average temperature drop (or Delta T) at the cooling coil BEFORE cleaning was

The average temperature drop at the cooling coil AFTER cleaning was This is an improvement of

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9.6º 15.5º 5.9º 61%

The average temperature drop (or Delta T) at the cooling coil BEFORE cleaning was

or

23

NADCA News CFM Cleaning removes obstructions from the coil, ducts, turning vanes, registers, etc., thus increasing the CFM or volume of air moving through the system. Change in CFM was typically measured at a return register, though other sites may have been used when a return register was not available.

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

The average improvement of CFM was

The average improvement of CFM was

11%

54%

Cooling Capacity We refer to BTU output as “cooling capacity.” It can also be called “heat transfer rate.” BTU output was calculated before cleaning and after cleaning, using the formulas in the NADCA White Paper. It is important to note that the field trial measurements are not exact but give a reasonable estimate of BTU output. Also, BTU output is not a direct reflection of energy cost. For example, doubling the BTU output does not mean the consumer has cut his HVAC energy cost in half. Determining actual energy savings requires monitoring before and after power usage.

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL The average improvement in cooling capacity, per the White Paper formula, was

The average improvement in cooling capacity, per the White Paper formula, was

150%

225%

Improvement from Duct Cleaning Alone Although it was not the primary focus of the task force, we found evidence that duct cleaning alone — without cleaning the air handler or coil – improved CFM. On nine residential jobs the air handler was not cleaned because it was new or the CFM was measured after cleaning the air handler, then after cleaning the ductwork. This gave us nine measurements of the change in CFM after cleaning the ductwork alone.

The average improvement in CFM was

SUMMARY

It has long been known that cleaning HVAC cooling coils saves energy (See ASHRAE Journal, Nov. 2006, “Study Verifies Coil Cleaning Saves Energy”). Since cleaning HVAC systems typically involves cleaning the coils, it is clear that HVAC cleaning is also an energy-savings measure, giving improvements not only at the coil but at numerous other points of potential air restriction in the HVAC system.

24

6.9%

The results of the NADCA Energy Field Trials task force show that pronounced improvements in cooling capacity and airflow are a typical result of HVAC cleaning. HVAC cleaning should be considered as part of any program seeking to improve a building’s energy efficiency.

Find this and other NADCA white papers at nadca.com/resources/ nadca-white-papers.

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Feature

FROM THE ARCHIVES

A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD Combustible Dust Poses a Significant Safety Hazard for Commercial HVAC Cleaners

N

ADCA members working in commercial or industrial settings may not realize the potential for danger surrounds them in the form of combustible dust.

“What we have learned is that it doesn’t take a lot of dust to blow up a building,” says Patrick O’Donnell of Enviro Team North America in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “A layer of dust as thick as a nickel can pose a significant risk. Some feel even half that amount is a serious problem.”

According to NFPA 654-2006, Combustible Particulate Solids include any combustible solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape or chemical composition.

Substances and materials that have the potential to form combustible dust include: •

Metals (including aluminum and magnesium)

• Wood • Coal • Plastics • Sugar • Paper •

26

Fibers and Flakes

The combustion process, or deflagration (a fireball), can occur when the dust becomes suspended in the air in sufficient concentration, and there is an igniter, which will almost always exist. Combustible dust explosions have caused deaths, injuries and destruction to facilities and buildings. Since NADCA places great emphasis on maintaining top safety training for the HVAC inspection, cleaning and restoration industry, technicians should know the potential risks of combustible dust.

In December 2010, four contracted air duct cleaners were injured in an explosion at an auto parts supplier plant in Southern Virginia. The contractors, from Roanoke, Virginiabased LCM Corp., were reportedly cleaning air ducts containing aluminum dust, which is a flammable substance. Rescue crews were dispatched to the Federal-Mogul Corp. plant in Blacksburg, Virginia, on the morning of Dec. 31, 2010.

Two of the workers were airlifted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and were reported to be suffering from serious burns. Two other workers were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Fires and explosions triggered by combustible dusts have been frequent enough for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) to take note and initiate the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) in October 2007. The NEP is charged with inspecting facilities generating or handling potentially hazardous combustible dusts.

The NEP also monitors the “housekeeping standards” of the facilities it inspects, with OSHA reporting several instances where inspectors found combustible dust accumulations “ankle deep and covering an entire room.” The potential for hazard in such a situation is high, especially if technicians and workers do not realize the danger posed by combustible dust.

Many NADCA members perform duties in the types of facilities where combustible dust explosions have occurred. OSHA lists a number of industries where this hazard is a notable concern. It lists facilities manufacturing food, grain, tobacco, plastics, wood, furniture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and several more.

The NEP has issued 6.5 violations, on average, for each inspection D U C TA L E S

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completed. This means it is likely a considerable number of individuals have worked near or on top of potentially dangerous combustible dust. It also means, according to OSHA’s website, the NEP has found twice the number of violations at combustible dust handling facilities when compared to all other facilities in general.

Stay Safe Out There!

Learn more about safety issues regarding combustible dust at www.osha.gov/dsg/combustibledust/index.html.

According to OSHA The following summarizes some citations issued by OSHA under the Combustible Dust NEP (from the OSHA website)

Maximize Safety Practices Related to Combustible Dust While OSHA does not have a standard written solely for combustible dust issues, there are many guidelines used to evaluate whether proper safety measures are being taken with regard to this issue.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, General Duty Clause, requires employers to “…furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment are free from recognized hazards causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”

Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to “…comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.” Following NEP inspections, employers have been cited for violations of personal protective equipment, first aid and using excess compressed air for cleaning purposes.

“As well as violating an OSHA standard, the use of compressed air to clean accumulated dust would create a dust cloud and can result in deflagration or explosion if ignition sources are present,” states the OSHA website.

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•

Dust collectors were located inside buildings without proper explosion protection systems, such as explosion venting or explosion suppression systems.

•

Deflagration isolation systems were not provided to prevent deflagration propagation from dust handling equipment to other parts of the plant.

•

The rooms with excessive dust accumulations were not equipped with explosion relief venting distributed over the exterior walls and roofs of the buildings.

•

The horizontal surfaces such as beams, ledges and screw conveyors at elevated surfaces were not minimized to prevent accumulation of dust on surfaces.

•

The ductwork for the dust collection system did not maintain a velocity of at least 4,500 ft/min to ensure transport of both coarse and fine particles and to ensure re-entrainment.

•

Flexible hoses used for transferring reground plastics were not conductive, bonded or grounded to minimize generation and accumulation of static electricity. A nonconductive PVC piping was used as ductwork. Ductwork from the dust collection system to other areas of the plant was not constructed of metal.

•

All components of dust collection system were not constructed of noncombustible materials—cardboard boxes were used as collection hoppers.

•

Equipment such as grinders, shakers, mixers and ductwork were not maintained to minimize escape of dust into the surrounding work area.

Employer did not prevent the escape of dust from the packaging equipment, creating a dust cloud in the work area.

•

Interior surfaces where dust accumulations could occur were not designed or constructed to facilitate cleaning and to minimize combustible dust accumulations. Regular cleaning frequencies were not established for walls, floors and horizontal surfaces such as ducts, pipes, hoods, ledges, beams, etc.

•

Compressed air was periodically used to clean up the combustible dust accumulation in the presence of ignition sources.

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NADCA News

Associate Member Spotlight: How did ServiceBox get its start?

ServiceBox started in 2012 when the owner of a local plumbing company contacted Jon Clifford looking for a software solution that would work for his business. Other products out there were not designed specifically for how he ran his business and he knew that he needed something.

Jon then connected with Mike Schudel and the two of them formed Jobbox Software with the intention of creating a software designed for plumbing and HVAC businesses.

Months were spent programming and designing to come up with a system that would eventually grow to the ServiceBox we know of today. The company’s goal has been to create a system that’s easy for businesses to use and allows them to focus on their business.

Why did ServiceBox join NADCA as an associate member?

ServiceBox was designed with HVAC companies and their kind of workflow in mind, so NADCA was a natural fit. During the annual conference earlier this year, Tania Orr, a NADCA member using ServiceBox, contacted Jon and let them know where they were and that there was a huge need for the product with their members.

The ServiceBox team connected with Holly at NADCA and set about D U C TA L E S

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finding the best way to bring the information to its members.

What does ServiceBox do?

ServiceBox is a management software that allows service companies to manage their workflow from start to finish. The software streamlines scheduling from the office and gives techs in the field details of what work is to be performed and where, handles quotes, work orders, maintenance history, checklists, dragand-drop scheduling, dispatcher mode, customized timesheets and invoicing. It also holds information for recurring maintenance work orders and offers checklists for repeatable maintenance tasks. The features are all integrated, minimizing data entry and helping to ensure accuracy.

ServiceBox also offers a mobile version, which has been particularly useful for businesses whose techs are accessing ServiceBox in the field.

What has the start-up environment been like for the company?

It can be tough at times but lots of fun and one where you are able to continually learn new things. Each customer and each experience allows the company to grow and provide an

even better offering for customers and we are proud of that. ServiceBox is growing and it is quite the experience to see month after month how much stronger it is.

What’s on deck for ServiceBox? June will bring about a new accounting release; it was delayed a bit to ensure that everything was exactly how it needed to be and to allow our lead developer some much needed vacation time. After that, ServiceBox will be implementing a mobile app. Phase one of the app will see notifications brought front and center and enhance the user experience.

Later this year ServiceBox is working on an inventory module, which is being designed based on feedback from current customers and some new companies that will come on board once it is in place. Phase two of the mobile app will also launch, which will bring some offline capabilities. ServiceBox is always taking suggestions from users for suggestions and incorporates some of those items in each release along with other updates that make the system the success that it is.

Learn more about ServiceBox at getservicebox.com.

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NADCA News

New ASCSs Shaffaqat Ali Delicatus Home Services, Inc. Toronto, ON CAN Thomas Asciolla Apex Appliance Repair & Air Duct Cleaning Monroe Twp, NJ USA Bill Babson AFTERDISASTER Greensboro, NC USA Samuel Baez Mr. Duct, Inc. Lisle, IL USA Bifford Baker Enviro Air Remedies Mount Pocono, PA USA Ozden Balpinar Ercan’s Natural Gas & Air Conditioning Service Limited Nepean, ON CAN

Charles Davila Direct Air Conditioning Miami, FL USA Jesse Dunn Stanley Steemer International, Inc. Dublin, OH USA Jesus Echevarria PURITY AIR HVAC, LLC Irving, TX USA Mike Flanagan Professional Tank Cleaning & Sandblasting National City, CA USA Salvatore Frangiamore PFE S.p.A. MILANO, ITA

Rob Basnett Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC Littleton, MA USA

Jennifer Gaines AFTERDISASTER Greensboro, NC USA

Alex Bierch KMS Air Duct Cleaning Minneapolis, MN USA

Stephen Gallimore II Servpro Of LBL South Paris, TN USA

Francis Blais Nassan Quebec Quebec, QC CAN

Edward Garcia Jaime/Edwards Services Katy, TX USA

Gabriel Bortos ALISEA S.R.L. Mezzanino, Pavia ITA

Gregory Garner BMC/Clower Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Silver Spring, MD USA

Josh Brace Chuck’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Colchester, VT USA Kevin Brackens TrueTech Services Houston, TX USA Larry Brown Emergi-Clean Inc. Rahway, NJ USA Kevin Byrd Gulf Coast Air Care Gulf Breeze, FL USA Paul Couillard DRX DUCT, LLC North Plainfield, NJ USA Kyle Cuthbertson Cuthbertson Restoration Inc dba Servpro of Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN USA

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Landon Dangerfield SanAir Indoor Air Quality dba Tidewater Environmental, Inc. Newport News, VA USA

Mell Goldman All Boro Inc Amityville, NY USA Jesus Gonzalez Pereda Exfin Ventures LLC dba AdvantaClean of Kendall Miami, FL USA Steven Gregory Delta Industrial Services Hyattsville, MD USA Jon Hanewinckel Sunshine Cleaning & Restoration Payson, AZ USA Harley Hatten Woodfin Heating Inc Richmond, VA USA Ron Headrick Breathe Clean Duct Services Whitelake, ON CAN

Donnie Holder AFTERDISASTER Greensboro, NC USA Karl Houston Cleanaire 2000 Inc. Canmore, AB CAN MOHAMED ISMAIL HYDRO GULF ABU DHABI, ARE Jonathan Jauregui Medical Air Care, Inc. Cypress, CA USA Josh Jones ANC Heating & Air Conditioning Endicott, NY USA Sonny Jorgensen Mavo Systems White Bear Lk, MN USA Kurtis Kaiser PK Pressure Kleen Fairfield, OH USA Jeremy Kane Chuck’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Colchester, VT USA Pavel Kornetskiy WellDuct LLC Linden, NJ USA Drake Kuhlmann Midwest Duct Cleaning Services Merriam, KS USA Aaron Lawson Servpro of Laporte & Porter Counties Valparaiso, IN USA Terry Lee III United Safety Services, Inc. Carnegie, PA USA Gary Lettice Stanley Steemer International Beavercreek Township, OH USA Michele Libraro W.P.R. S.r.l.

NAPOLI, ITA Daniel Mason Boongalla Group Pty Ltd Bayswater, VIC AUS John McCarron LaTello Brands LLC dba Doodlebugger’s Service Network Pensacola, FL USA

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New ASCSs and CVIs Timothy Miller Indoor Air Professionals, Inc. Lancaster, NY USA Michele Mickey Mitru Green Home Solutions Cleveland, OH USA Salvatore Modica PFE S.p.A. MILANO, ITA Renee Moreno AFTERDISASTER Greensboro, NC USA Devin Newell Stanley Steemer - Lexington Lexington, KY USA Dylan Nordstrom Stanley Steemer - King Enterprises, Inc. Saginaw, MI USA Zachary Parker Indiana Restoration Services, Inc. Noblesville, IN USA Fabio Pesacane W.P.R. S.r.l.

NAPOLI, ITA Wun Chun Poon DuctPro Engineering (H.K.) Ltd Kwai Chun, HKG Steve Powell Impruvair Simcoe, ON CAN

Roger Ruhle AdvantaClean of Orlando, Winter Park & Windermere Orlando, FL USA Omar Salcedo Duct & Vent Cleaning of America, Inc. Springfield, MA USA Fredy Sanabria Aires Furnace & Duct Cleaning Inc. Edmonton, AB CAN Julio Sanchez Air Duct Aseptics (A.D.A.) Pompano Beach, FL USA Carl Sejba BMS Cat Haltom City, TX USA Ronald Shadron Dryfast Systems Orlando, FL USA Marc Simard Les Services Survac 1987 Inc. Chicoutimi, QC CAN Min Mihai Steorobelea ALISEA S.R.L. Mezzanino, ITA Jay Summer AFTERDISASTER Greensboro, NC USA Rees Surface Gulf Coast Air Care Gulf Breeze, FL USA

Christopher Prior EnviroVantage Epping, NH USA Adenawell Quezada Breathe-Easy Air Duct Cleaning /Clean Dean’s Chimney Sweep Tulsa, OK USA

Steve Surwila AFTERDISASTER Greensboro, NC USA Craig Sutherland Stanley Steemer Indianapolis Carmel, IN USA

Ali Raad Nettoyage Imperial Laval, QC CAN

Scott Tetz Oliver’s Power Vacuum & Chimney Sweep Courtenay, BC CAN

Antonio Rajcoomar Air Duct Aseptics (A.D.A.) Pompano Beach, FL USA

Chad Traver DRX DUCT, LLC North Plainfield, NJ USA

Michael Richey Servpro of Alexander & Caldwell Counties Lenoir, NC USA

Joseph Turner Stanley Steemer International, Inc. Dublin, OH USA

Adam Rowe Gulf Coast Air Care Gulf Breeze, FL USA

Antonio Urso MITSA SRL Aprilia, Latina ITA

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Scott Vogel Emergi-Clean Inc. Rahway, NJ USA Scott Walper Professional Restorations Baltimore, MD USA Daniel Ward Le Groupe Air Plus Inc. Quebec, QC CAN Jeremy Wiggens Stanley Steemer - Lexington Lexington, KY USA King Fai Wong DuctPro Engineering (H.K.) Ltd Kwai Chun, HKG Fausto Zucchini COPMA Scrl Ferrara, FE ITA

New CVIs John Line III Sani-Vac Service, Inc. Warren, MI USA Gregg McGee Air Duct Aseptics (A.D.A.) Pompano Beach, FL USA Jocelyne Melton Baxter Group, Inc. Chambersburg, PA USA Brady O’Dell ABC Cleaning, Inc. Oviedo, FL USA Jorge Ortega TrueTech Services Houston, TX USA Shawn Primeaux Blackmon Mooring of Houston, Inc. Houston, TX USA Alex Schultz Quality Aire, Inc. Manitowoc, WI USA James Shelley Servpro of Madison/Goodlettsville Madison, TN USA Ray Strozyk T&D Duct Cleaning Sykesville, MD USA Laura Taylor Blackmon-Mooring Company Arlington, TX USA

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NADCA News

New Members Aires Furnace & Duct Cleaning Inc. Edmonton, AB CAN

HYDRO GULF ABU DHABI, ARE

Servpro Of LBL South Paris, TN USA

All Boro Inc Amityville, NY USA

Impruvair Simcoe, ON CAN

Solution Dair La Pêche, QC CAN

Anderson Brothers Steamatic - Portage Portage, MI USA

Jaime/Edwards Services Katy, TX USA

Stanley Steemer - Lexington Lexington, KY USA

Apex Appliance Repair & Air Duct Cleaning Monroe Twp, NJ USA

Les Services Survac 1987 Inc. Chicoutimi, QC CAN

True Cleaning Solutions Saint Louis, MO USA

Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC Littleton, MA USA

Nassan Quebec Quebec, QC CAN

Velasco Air Inc. Anaheim, CA USA

Cleanaire 2000 Inc. Canmore, AB CAN

Nettoyage Imperial Laval, QC CAN

W.P.R. S.r.l.

Napoli ITA

Delicatus Home Services, Inc. Toronto, ON CAN

Oliver’s Power Vacuum & Chimney Sweep Courtenay, BC CAN

WellDuct LLC Linden, NJ USA

Emergi-Clean Inc. Rahway, NJ USA

PK Pressure Kleen Fairfield, OH USA

New Associate

Enviro Air Remedies Mount Pocono, PA USA

Professional Tank Cleaning & Sandblasting National City, CA USA

Exfin Ventures LLC dba AdvantaClean of Kendall Miami, FL USA

PURITY AIR HVAC, LLC Irving, TX USA

Green Home Solutions Cleveland, OH USA

RestorePro Reconstruction Raleigh, NC USA

AP Financing Walnut Creek, CA USA New Affiliate Jeffery Gauthier Camarillo, CA USA

Committee Spotlight NADCA Working for You NADCA committee members have been working hard to provide members with tools they can use to be successful and get the most out of their NADCA membership.

Membership Committee NADCA’s Membership Committee, led by Chair April Yungen is responsible for •

Supporting membership growth

policy; and •

Reviewing and approving new member applicants identified by staff as requiring special attention, as needed.

Maximizing Your Membership The Membership Committee wants to help you maximize your membership by taking advantage of the many benefits that come with your NADCA membership.

•

Identifying and promoting member benefits

•

•

Reviewing and making recommendations regarding membership requirements &

•

Certification Discounts

•

Education and training discounts

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Client referrals

•

Networking and education at NADCA events

•

DucTales and Air Conveyance subscriptions

•

Member mentor program

•

NADCA mobile apps

•

Sunbelt Rentals affinity program discounts

•

Dell product discount program

•

Elavon credit card processing affinity program discounts

•

Associate Member discounts Visit www.nadca.com for more information

D U C TA L E S

M AY • J U N E 2 0 1 7